Word of the Day

: October 20, 2013

parol

noun PAIR-ul

What It Means

: word of mouth : oral communication

parol in Context

Mrs. Bridesworth had an agreement by parol with her tenant for the monthly rent, but no written lease.

"One tenant in common cannot grant by deed, nor can he demise by deed or by parol, anything more than his undivided interest in the estate…." - From Massachusetts Landlord-Tenant Law, Volume 11, Second Edition, 2012

Did You Know?

Since the 18th century, "parol" has been pretty much confined to oral contracts and the realm of law. No longer is anyone likely to refer to the "sweet parols" of a paramour, as in one 16th-century work. "Parol" brings to mind that other legal word, "parole." Both words lack any connection with law in their original form. They come from Latin "parabola," which means "parable" or "speech." The Latin, in turn, is from Greek "parabole," meaning "comparison." The French created two words (which we then borrowed) from "parabola": "parol," meaning "spoken words," and "parole," for "word of honor." Originally, a parole was a prisoner of war's promise to fulfill certain conditions on consideration of his release.